I had the happy experience of being in Paris for my big birthday in December. Thanks to your fabulous blog - one of my “must do’s” was of course to go to Laduree on Champs Elysees. There was a line of course and they had a surly (albeit stylishly dressed) bouncer at the door. We had been waiting patiently outside the door for about 20 minutes when two pretty young French women stepped up, said “something” in French and got in line ahead of us. There was a young American man in line behind us who “grumbled” and the bouncer stepped up to him and growled “What is the problem? They were here before…” I was afraid there was going to be a rumble and that we would be denied entry to macaron heaven. We ALL wound up waiting about 90 minutes (!) to get table service. That was longer than the wait to get into the Orsay Museum. Happily, I was able to visit 3 Ladurees – thanks for the tip on Printemps. (Next time!)

All in all – it was a wonderful experience. In my humble opinion – Laduree is tops for beautiful but Pierre Herme has the BEST macarons. Is that sacrilegious?

My daughter and I find ourselves scouring the backgrounds and foregrounds of your photos, studying the garb of the locals. We're traveling in the fall and want to dress appropriately. Do you have any tips?

OMG!!!I just love the painting with the schnauzers! I have one black standard and one black mini, it looks just like them!And i love Ladureè! this painting was just perfect!!!Where can i buy and how much is it????? From AK

Carol, I enjoy reading your blog so much and look forward to opening it every evening. Since you asked about La Duree I thought I would share with you the less then perfect watercolor sketch I did of the tea shop last year. I am a watercolor teacher who teaches workshops on travel painting and sketching and this was a picture I did from a photo I took when I was in Paris. Keep up the wonderful blog. Its www.barbararothart.com

I received the watercolor of "Jack" last evening! Its wonderful and already at the frame shop. I am even framing your sweet note and business card together. I am so proud of it and glad I own it. Thank you again for sending it to mexo,Peggy

I had my 2 cats painted in front of the Eiffel Tower, it's just adorable. I've matted, framed and hung it in my living room. Great work and very fast shipping. Wonderful to deal with also. Thanks so much

Hi Carol, So cool to see that Isabella made it to your blog!!! I'm smiling all day. I will be giving your precious artwork to my friend Saturday eve. It is the best pup portrait EVER!!! xo, pp Merci beaucoup

Hi Carol, My friend LOVED your watercolor of Bella! It was so much fun to watch her open the gift. (One of her favorite places in Paris is Ladurée so you can only imagine how perfectly perfect your work of art was). Bella really liked it too. ;-) Thanks again, Paige

Thank you, so very much for a lovely work of art. It will give me pleasure to give this to my son-in-law, Dan. I am having this matted and framed and I will present to him in front of my daughter and their three sons. The boys know you did they painting and they can't wait to see the finished piece too. Thanks once again and as soon as I can snatch some pics of my youngest daughter's Jack Russell, I will forward them to you and we can do something for her 40th birthday. As for me I am JUST so tickled with the painting of Bo and Benny

Everything is great and I have already had them framed and they are awaiting Christmas Morning. Thanks for checking on them - they really are very special and I know the girls will love them.I love looking at your blog each day - it is one of my new favorite things!

Thank you so much. The Cafe Bosquet is great and we love the images of Myko and Toula. Myko is a little darker and Toula is lighter, so their personalities shine.Actually, we are on the way right now to visit the Framers. So this is very exciting!Happy Holidays!

Rose and I love her watercolor! It is gorgeous! She wanted to send you this photo of her with the painting in my "Paris" Room...a pink and black guest room in our home for those who love Paris! I will frame it (gold, I think) this weekend, and give it a place of honor! Thanks again!Vickie and Rose

Mr.Mickey's portrait arrived yesterday and he gives it a four-paws-up! Which is not an easy thing for him to do!He is now insisting that I have a spotlight installed to shine on him 24 hours a day.He loves the gold highlights you put in his hair. What a little egomaniac he is.Thank you again for your great work.I am coming back for something for my daughter for Mother's Day.Sue

Last night was Barbara's retirement party and we gave her the portrait of LuLu. She loved it so much! I played Vanna of the gifts and presented her with all the gifts and gave her the Piece de Resistance (did i spell that right) last...which was, of course, your painting ..framed. There had been a dog theme throughout the party when her colleagues talked to the group about personal experiences and good times with Barbaraj...a lot of people bonded with her over her 32 years of work over their love of dogs. Thank you again very much Carol. Your work is a treasure.Athena

Last week I received as a retirement gift, one of your watercolors of my dear furry girl, Natasha, who passed away last August. I love, love, love the picture. It looks just like her, and she looks so spiffy in her red bandana sitting in front of the red checkered tablecloth. My friend, Athena Watson, knew it would be the perfect present.

Hi, Carol! I wanted to just say many thanks for the wonderful painting of our Libby in front of one of my favorite places in Paris!!! Of course, you won’t find many postcards of Caves Auge which makes this painting all the more special!!!! You really captured the essence of Libby with a nice French twist…. Thank you again…. Larry

We received the best Thanksgiving present yesterday - your beautiful watercolor of our handsome guy! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your watercolor really captures Wyatt and his personality.Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you're ever in San Francisco, please let me know. I'll see you on your blog!Merci et bientot,

I love your artwork - it's wonderful. Thank you for sharing with the world. There is a lovely cheekiness to your pictures. Just returned from my favourite city in the world - boy was it cold and boy as beautiful as ever. Many thanksTGW

Hi there,I received in the mail last week a package from C. Gillot and was told not to open it 'til my 40th birthday...could barely stand the tension between me and that envelope...finally the day arrives and I carefully unwrap the package which contained the most beautiful painting of my pup "Jaxson" sitting very contentedly in front of Laduree! I absolutely adore it! My sister, who lives in Paris has had me hooked on "Paris Breakfasts" and your portraits. Thank you so much for the very fab birthday present. I will cherish it! Cheryl (Port Hope, Ontario)

I got Lexi's portrait in Paris painting the other night and it was just gorgeous, the colors vivid and wonderful. The internet does not do your paintings justice.

I took it over to my mother’s house (she lives right next door to me) to show it to her. I didn’t tell her I doing this and immediately upon seeing the painting, she recognized Lexi. My mother is an 80 year old stoic German woman, not easily moved to tears, but her eyes welled up and she was so pleased to see the painting and wanted to know immediately where I was going to hang it when I had it framed. Lexi was an important little girl in both of our lives, so we both “thank you” for the wonderful job you did, it has already become a cherished possession.

I received the beautiful painting of Alfie yesterday!!!!It's absolutely perfect and I know Laurie will love it.You will meet her at the book party, but please don't give anything away, as it's a birthday surprise!Oh, and we'll have MadMac macarons!!! Thank you for that referral!Sending love.A bientot,Jamie

Thank you for sending the pet portrait so fast, it arrive just in time, like two hours before we left the house.My daughter and her ballet teacher, love the painting.She said that it's like a treasure, for her.Thank you for make such a memorable gift!!!!MAria

Tazzie's portrait was waiting for me when I got home, and it is just perfect. Even better than expected, and I can't wait to give it to her Mom (except that I want to keep it!). Many thanks for what is truly going to be a gift that keeps on giving.

Have enjoyed "following" you in Paris and London. What a "tasty" trip, and thanks, too, for a great list of new patisseries to try. We have similar tastes...tarte au citron!

Received - Rusty!Got the package today, thank you again, and all the cute wee cards and things, love that touch; I'll use some of those in my scrapbooking pages when I put my trip photos together. I shall look forward to framing soon....I think what you do is great!best regrdssarajane

Merci beaucoup, et encore!!!! Ralph's Paris portrait watercolour is absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous! Just love it! And thank you so much for all the little goodies in the pack as well. Very kind of you, thank you. I hope you know how much of a delight you bring to all of our days with your PB blog, and the beautiful watercolours are an added joy.Thank you again, Carol!Best regards R

Its really so stunning. I am afraid you may be hearing from Alfie and I again at some stage.... ha ha! A series of paintings would be very cute!Thank you again, I am so excited to give this to James. I know he will adore it as I do!

the picture was brilliant! Alessandro loved it. I gave it to him, framed, on the his birthday which was just before we left from Australia. And we're still there When I get back, I'll do a post link to the framed photo -- I know people will love to see your version of Lucy and Milo.

I have just received the beautiful paintings that you did for us! They are just lovely, the colors are perfect and Coco is adorable in them! Thank you so much for working with me to attain the perfect results! I love what you did with them! Kim

Sorry for not written before but we were living during the last days our carnaval holiday and I was so tired that I promissed myself to not look my e-mail box during the holidays. But... the package arrived!!!!!!! and was so amazing! I'm so, so, so happy and glad to have met you. Pituska, de female, is 11 years old and is showing signs of old and to have her always alive in a picture is very important to me.once again sorry for not told you before that the painting arrived and thank you so much for the happiness you gave to me and my family.In my next trip to Paris, September maybe I'll try to meet you because I have enjoying so much your blog and your way to see Paris.

Carol, I just went to the post office and picked up "Ze Cats"! I missed the mailman when he tried to deliver it. It actually came two days ago but I didn't realize it was you artwork. Well, I just love it and the little goodies that you sent with it. I will be seeing my friend soon and I know she will love, love, love it too.Thank you so very much,Terry